Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, former Fink Link CEO Shaenaz Voss, and Sharun Ali, General Manager of Safety, Security, and Quality at Fiji Airways, were granted bail by the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday.
During the court session, Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro informed the court that the first phase of disclosures had been served and requested six weeks to submit the second phase. Although the prosecution did not oppose bail, they suggested that each accused should post bail of $50,000 due to the seriousness of the charges.
In contrast, defense attorneys Gul Fatima and Wasu Pillay contested the cash bail requirement, advocating for a non-cash option. The court ultimately ruled that bail be set at $10,000 each, on a non-cash basis.
The charges against Sayed-Khaiyum include 11 counts of unlawful carriage of a firearm on an aircraft, 11 counts of receiving a corrupt benefit, 11 counts of breach of trust by a public servant, and 11 counts of abuse of office. Voss faces three counts of giving a corrupt benefit, while Ali is charged with 11 counts of giving a corrupt benefit. Voss, Ali, and Fiji Link also face five counts concerning breach of mandatory reporting of security occurrences and three counts of violating airline security.
These charges are under the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994, Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations 1994, and Crimes Act 2009.
As part of their bail conditions, all accused must surrender their passports to the Nadi Court, and a top departure order is to be issued against them. Sayed-Khaiyum’s passport is currently held by the Suva Magistrates Court. Additionally, they have been instructed not to interfere with prosecution witnesses, many of whom work for Fiji Airways. Each defendant must also provide two sureties, who are also subject to the non-cash bail bond.
The case has been adjourned until November 14 for mention.